August 3 ▪ Day 215

Scripture Readings

Proverbs 20:21
Deuteronomy 17–18
Romans 11–12
Psalms 31

Verse Focus (Proverbs 20:21)

An inheritance claimed too soon
     will not be blessed at the end.

Meditation

Today’s verse focus is a proverb that has been a favorite of mine for many years. Proverbs 20:21 says, “An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.” When I read this proverb, I think of inheritance in terms of the LORD, rather than in terms of my earthly parents. David wrote, in Psalm 16, verses 5 and 6, “LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” So I always think of my inheritance as the things in life that God has stored up for me — the good gifts I will receive in time. So this proverb was, for me, a reminder to wait patiently.

The story of the prodigal son is an example of what might happen if you receive your inheritance too soon. The son had not gained maturity; he lost his inheritance through “wild living” (Luke 15:13). So, too, I believe we need maturity for some of the gifts God wants to give us. Whether that is a relationship, career satisfaction, or living up to your full potential — there are ways that we need to grow in our relationship with God, and sins that we need to put behind us so that we are truly ready for these dreams to come true.

I suppose, at the heart of how I view this proverb, is the conviction that we might ruin a perfectly good inheritance by receiving it too soon. Using the example of earthly goods — if a person receives a princely sum when young, he or she might not learn to work diligently. That person might live off the inheritance, dipping into it too much, too soon, so that it no longer exists by the time that person is older. Some who marry young might place all their hopes for satisfaction in their spouse. It is a burden that no person can truly bear. Happiness — or emotional health — does not ever really come from another person, but one who marries before they realize this might ruin their relationship under the weight of unrealistic expectations.

Although I have always viewed this proverb in terms of God’s good gifts and the need for us to be patient, many commentators see a different picture. They interpret that one receives an inheritance “too soon” because he or she has done something unethical to hasten the acquisition of wealth. Whether that is a shady business deal or borrowing an unwise amount or gambling (or gaining funds by fraud or theft), money obtained by these means will not be blessed by God. Because God is just, any inheritance that is obtained by illegal or unethical means will soon disappear.

Father God, thank you for this proverb. Help us to wait patiently for our inheritance — both the things you will give us here on earth, and the things we will one day receive in heaven. Thank you for your justice and the knowledge that you will repay those who are unethical in obtaining wealth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Deuteronomy 17 begins by telling us that no one should sacrifice an animal that is blemished or defective “for that is an abomination to the LORD your God (v. 1).” Abomination is such a strong word, yet it seems strange to us that unclean food (Deuteronomy 14:3) and a blemished sacrifice (17:1) carries the same repugnance that God has for human sacrifice and occult practices (18:9-12). Clearly, there is an offensiveness to the blemished sacrifice that I don’t fully understand. Perhaps it is just the attitude that believes God will not know or care if our offering is less than perfect. “Just the attitude.” And that right there is an example of my lack of understanding. One who offers an imperfect sacrifice does not believe in either the reality of God or His greatness. And thus, as small as it seems in human terms (especially compared to some of the abominations listed in chapter 18), it is the highest of offenses against God.

Chapter 17 speaks of stoning lawbreakers and idolaters. Again, there is the command that no one is to be put to death unless there are two or three witnesses against that person (v. 6). Similar to what we read in Deuteronomy 13, it is the witnesses who must be the first ones to cast a stone against the offender. In this manner, Moses tells the Israelites in verse 7, “So you shall purge the evil from your midst.”

Moses tells the Israelites that difficult legal cases should be taken to the judge and the priests that will be in the place where God will choose (i.e., Jerusalem). Moses tells them in verse 11, “You shall not turn aside from the verdict that they declare to you, either to the right hand or to the left.” In fact, the one who “acts presumptuously by not obeying” the decision handed down by the priest or judge “shall die” (v. 12). Again, Moses tells them that this is how they will “purge the evil from Israel (v. 12).”

The chapter ends with giving a few miscellaneous laws about kings for Israel. First, Moses tells them that they do have God’s permission to set up a king. However, the king may not be a foreigner. Verse 16 is interesting because the king is not to acquire “many horses” — this apparently relates to the fact that the Israelites are not to return to Egypt. Verse 17 predicts what will happen to King Solomon. And verse 18 is also interesting — the king himself must make his own copy of God’s law to read and study.

Deuteronomy 18 reminds the Israelites about the provision for priests and other Levites. Since they will have no inheritance of land in Israel, the priests will receive portions of the sacrifices as well as firstfruits from the Israelites.

Moses briefly discusses the abominable practices of the nations that Israel is driving out of Canaan. In verses 10 and 11, Moses lists some of these practices that the Israelites are not to emulate. The first refers to human sacrifice, but all the others are various occult means of seeking knowledge and guidance apart from the LORD. What makes these so detestable is that, at heart, each is a form of demon worship.

Moses concludes the chapter by telling the Israelites that God will raise up another prophet for them like himself — one who will be a mediator between God and the people. Moses warns in verse 20 that the prophet who “presumes” to speak for the LORD when He has “not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods” shall die. Moses reassures the Israelites that they will recognize true prophets of the LORD because what they say shall come to pass.

As I read through Romans 11 and 12 again, familiar verses spark my interest. I celebrate Paul’s conviction that there is even more abundance to come once the Jews are restored. As verse 15 says, “For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?” I meditate again on the “kindness and severity of God (v. 22).” I take to heart Paul’s warning not to become proud. And I rejoice in God’s plan of salvation, that the “partial hardening” of the Jews waits “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (v. 25).”

Romans 11, verse 29 says, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” In other words, once having extended salvation to us, God does not change His mind or regret pardoning us. He does not regret giving us the Holy Spirit. In the same way, He will never forget Israel. There may be a temporary hardening of the Jews for now, but He does not forget His covenants. As verse 32 says, “For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.”

The word “irrevocable” continues to haunt my mind. The verse gives me a lot of comfort. My erratic obedience and faith can never overturn God’s decision to save me through Christ Jesus. God does not change. He will have mercy on me.

I’m also struck — yet again — by Romans 12:2. As it says in the ESV, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” It was the “by testing” that caught my attention today. I looked at several different translations, and then I looked at the Greek to see what the word was and what it means. It is one word that the ESV is translating as “by testing you may discern.” The word is dokimazo (δοκιμάζω), and it means to test something to prove its genuineness, or to prove the goodness of something after testing it. This is not a test to see if something is good or bad; rather, it is the “proof of the pudding” — the test that proves the good. In other words, as we test out God’s will, we will see that His will is good, acceptable and perfect. When we renew our minds, we prove to ourselves (and perhaps to others as well) that God’s will is good. For me, this gives some new insight to a familiar and beloved verse.

Romans 12:9 strikes me — likely because I’m reading the verse in a different English translation again. I like to switch translations every few months or so, to keep the Scriptures fresh. And today I was reading in the ESV, which says, “Let love be genuine.” The NIV uses the word “sincere.” The CSB says “without hypocrisy.” All of these are valid translations of the Greek. But somehow “genuine” hits me in a way that “sincere” did not.

Can love be ingenuous? Can love be insincere? If it were either of these things, it would not be love. So why does Paul exhort us to be genuine in love? Love is foundational to practical Christian living. But what makes something insincere is having the form without the feeling. Someone may smile or say kind things, but if goodwill is not in that person’s heart, then both the smile and the words are insincere. In other words, I think Paul is telling us to have our hearts and actions in alignment with Jesus Christ. We can behave the way we’re supposed to without having our hearts in the right place. Earlier, Paul exhorted us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. In Hebrew, there is one word that means both mind and heart. This is not true of Greek — they have two different words, just like English does. But Paul was a Hebrew. When he speaks of renewing our minds, he likely also meant renewing our hearts.

As we read Psalm 31 again today, perhaps you too will find familiar verses welcoming you. Verse 15a, verse 19, and verse 24 are all favorites of mine — verses I commented on six months ago, and that still leap out to me today.

“My times are in your hand,” says the psalmist in verse 15a. My life — the good times, the bad times, the opportunities, the disappointments — these are all things that God has carefully crafted for me. He knows my path; He knows when I will die. He has already planned good works for me to do. He has given me gifts, and He has even more goodness stored up for me (v. 19). There is assurance is having your times in God’s hand. I am secure in Him.

Verse 3 also strikes me today. “For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me.” I note the different possessives. God is my rock; He is my fortress. But it is for His name’s sake that He guides me. This gives me even more security. God takes care of me for His own name’s sake. God, who is unchangeable, who is steadfast, and certain. God, whose calling and gifts are irrevocable. My security in God as my rock and fortress depend on Him, rather than on my ability to cling to Him. Hallelujah!

Father God, I’m so thankful for your steadfast love and unchanging nature. Thank you for your irrevocable call. Thank you for purpose in salvation, and your plans. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for being my rock and my fortress, and for having my times in your hand. Help me each day to renew my mind in your Word. Let my love be genuine. Fill me with your Spirit and keep my heart always close to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.